While the KTM 1190 Adventure and BMW R1200GS were grabbing all the headlines from INTERMOT today, we think the real news from the adventure-touring section is the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 concept, a nearly production ready bike that will debut in 2014. While Suzuki V-Strom owners we preach from the mountain the off-road prowess of their bikes, the truth is that Suzuki did not have adventure-touring on its mind when it built the V-Strom 1000 (or 650 for that matter), with the emphasis more on the touring side of that designation, than the adventure.

A quick look at the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Concept for the 2014 model, and that has clearly changed. A bit late to the party, Suzuki has finally put together what looks like a serious ADV bike, which will likely rival other Japanese ADV bikes like the Yamaha Super Ténéré, and give BMW, Ducati, KTM, and Triumph buyers some serious pause before they plop down the extra cash on those premium market bikes.

Originally built around the TL v-twin motor, Suzuki has built a whole new 1,000cc v-twin engine for the new “Strom” bike, and has added other features like traction control and ABS to the mix. With 17″ wheels front and aft, the 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 looks to be still a very road-oriented machine, though it is possible that Suzuki could produce the bike as two models, each with different wheelsets for road and off-road usage.

Seeing the traction and growth in the adventure-touring segment, Suzuki has clearly noticed how imperative it is for the company to have a competent machine to the growing number of ADV riders. With this concept said to be coming into production in 2014, the question is then whether if Suzuki is too late to the party. We imagine pricing will play a huge part in this equation, as the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 could be a serious contender if Suzuki can get the price low enough in the North American and European markets.

All they need to do is to make it as affordable as the original DL1000 and they will have a great selling bike. A lot of people say the original was ugly (debatable but probably true… I still loved mine) but it sold like hot cakes!! You still see a lot of them on the road today. If they can sell this bike around $10K or less nicely equipped it will be a blockbuster. Btw, I do like the new look!! Do you think they have worked on the buffeting that plagued the original? Does anyone have a link to a pix of the instrument cluster?

mark

That’s clearly a 19″ front wheel.

And what makes this bike more adventure-worthy than the old V-Strom 1000? Is it just because it has a beak?

Gary

This will likely be a fantastic bike in all practical respects. I just wish Suzuki had the courage to break from the crowd and ditch the superfluous beak. Most ill-conceived example to date: Ducati Multistrada.

Mikey

Yeah get rid of the beak and then we’ll talk. It looks like a rubber chicken from the side.

MotoRider

Howard the Duck!

Michael Brown

I agree. Dump the beak and go back to the dual headlights. I always think of the beak as a BMW/Ducati ‘thing’. Dual heaflights are a VStrom ‘thing’. I can spot a Wee or Vee coming at me from a mile off. Why would Suzuki change that to look like a GS? And that fugly headlight, ala Gladius has to go. I can’t stand that headlight.

Greg

Yes, keep the dual headlights. Also, the wire wheel option for an adventure bike would be good as previously mentioned and frankly necessary for a true adventure bike. Have better suspension with adjustability and 7.5 inch plus travel. Do this to the 650 also! I wish there was a modern version of the DR800. But, make it a twin… That would be a GREAT adventure bike.

Greg

And yes, Kill the beak and be a bit more original…

https://twitter.com/#!/AaronBBrown Aaron B. Brown

Looks sharp, and seems to have a heavy duty subframe and bracket for load support.

Fabrice

Love it! I prefer the style. If they can keep the price realistic the bike should sell well. The beak is a bit of a nock off but if it works it works. Don’t really think these bike’s are meant to hit he dirt too much? So wire spoked wheels would be a pain. I am more interested if they can keep it comfortable, slim and not excessively heavy. Time will tell.

http://AsphaltandRubber Kelvin

Ok enough of comments about the “beak”….let’s get Suzuki’s attention on other details so they don’t miss the opportunity to build a category killer. Wish list: 1).High wattage Alternator for powering options. 2). Prewires for optional driving lights 3). Stebel Horn standard! It is time the motorcycle companies woke up to the sound of audible safety devices. 4). Increase the rear tailight size x3. Include accessory power outlets and provide mounting pad for GPS standard. 5).Prewire for electronic cruise control..no more than $500.00 option..or make it standard. 6).optional off road package includes quick change front wheel. 7). keep bags narrow to the profile of the bike. 7). Optional electronic suspension. 8).Is that really a windshield on the prototype??.how about a little larger? 9). Adjustable seat height 10). Switchable abs standard. Target pricing no more than $11,500 stripped..$13,500 loaded. By the way the BMW is actually more of a Duck beak..oddly enough Ducati should have grabbed that look! The Ducati on the other hand is more of a chicken profile…I think Suzuki should shoot for the Toucan look with storage in the beak! Finally I think beaks are ok…how about putting the air intake on top like the rest of the birds…:-) DL650 BMW R1150GS hayabusa…real bird! Concours 14….but I really want the above bike!

http://AsphaltandRubber Kelvin

Opps…I forgot…a centerstand for changing tires…AAA does not come to where I ride….Look at the sidestand…it would never hold the bike up in the sand or mud.

ARHS

Beak is not good?

A modern adventure bike carries a wiring harness that is very complicated nowadays. All that wiring and gadgets usually leave under the dash. A beak was originally designed to enforce air in that area because as we know, wiring harness and electronics heat up especially when they are squeezed in a confined area such as the dash of a motorbike. An adventure motorbike is big, and sometimes times it has to crawl through traffic or rough terrain. That was the first thing the designers wanted to achieve. The next thing was aerodynamics. An adventure bike ha s a fairing like sports bikes do. Problem is that the gap between wheel and fairing is much larger on an adventure bike comparing with a sports bike. The fairing on the latter looks straight forward designed to split the air smoothly around the bike and rider to achieve low friction and stability. On an adventure bike however that’s not the case. The fairing is designed to split the air to protect the rider, while areas like the radiator or engine are getting hammered as speed grows increasing friction drastically (Cagiva Elefant, Honda Varadero, Vstrom etc). The beak in this case looks downwards to achieve a partial splitting of that buffeting sending the air around the forks and onto the fairing smoother to lower friction. It also adds pressure on the front wheel as speed grows too to maximize stability.

I hope this helps all of you regarding the ugly beak. I’ll have it on my bike anytime regardless if it’s ugly or not.

Mike

Ok, the bike looks good, and it seems to satisfy all of the reading I’ve done on these bikes. I’ve whittled down to what I thought I want, and now this thing pops up, and I would say it would be perfect: just enough power to excel past the 800’s in this class, and a price point I’m sure will be very attractive. Add up the reliability factor, and this could be one cool bike. I saw the headlight at a different angle though on another website, and I was ready to say somebody was staring at a vagina when they designed it. This head on looks a lot different so I don’t know where the elongated look came from on the other website showing a picture of it at the show.